Basement waterproofing system compatible with and configured to integrate with radon gas measurement and exhaust components

ABSTRACT

In general, the present invention is directed to basement waterproofing systems and more particularly to a basement waterproofing system that is compatible with and configured to integrate with radon gas measurement and exhaust components.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/464933, filed Mar. 11, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In general, the present invention is directed to basement waterproofing systems and more particularly to a basement waterproofing system that is compatible with and configured to integrate with radon gas measurement and exhaust components.

BACKGROUND

Basement walls are designed to resist the lateral or side pressures of both soil and water functioning as vertically disposed cantilevers between the basement slab and first floor slabs. Concrete or block structures are the ideal composition for such walls.

For purposes of maintaining moisture resistance into the interior basement area through the walls or floors, several basic means have been utilized to help alleviate this problem. Some of the more prominent methods have been the reduction of exterior hydrostatic pressure, integral structured tightness, membranes, or surface coatings, in addition to other means. Each such method has specific shortcomings. For example, coating the interior of the basement wall is relatively ineffective. Interior sealing in the basement area may be avoided to some measure by heating or ventilation. In some instances, drainage pipes with spaced perforations disposed strategically outside the basement walls reduce lateral hydrostatic pressure as long as they can be drained into free-standing outlets. These latter methods have not proven to be totally effective, particularly when hydrostatic pressures and moisture volume vary.

The use of partial membranes along only the outside surface of a basement wall has been a method previously employed, however, such membranes have generally been composed of fabric, tar, or asphalt disposed flush on the outside wall as a continuous layered coating over the outside wall. In some cases, the vertical membrane is in turn covered on its outside surface by concrete or masonry creating a layered effect. This system has proven to be only moderately effective, and is relatively expensive.

Yet another frequently used and expensive method of waterproofing has been to apply a coating of waterproofing to the outer surface of the basement wall. Usually this process involves the use of emulsion or mastic without use of an external membrane. One major disadvantage of such a system is that the reliability thereof diminishes significantly when subjected to a substantial hydrostatic pressure.

In all of the cases mentioned above, there is no alleviation of the simultaneous problem and medical hazards associated with the radon gas seeping into the basement and ultimately into the entire household, traversing essentially the same pathway as water or moisture invading the basement area.

Given this, there is a need for a basement waterproofing system that addresses the need to provide a water seal/evacuation means to the dwelling while simultaneously exhausting hazardous gases therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of one embodiment of the present invention depicting a basement waterproofing system that is compatible with and configured to integrate with radon gas measurement and exhaust components.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 1 highlighting the individual components that comprise the system.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, the present invention is directed to basement waterproofing systems and more particularly to a basement waterproofing system that is compatible with and configured to integrate with radon gas measurement and exhaust components.

One embodiment of the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1 wherein a basement waterproofing system 10 is shown schematically. The waterproofing system 10 has components edging device 12, drainage tubes 14, vapor barrier 18, and exhaust port 26. The construction begins by first digging a trench along the exterior wall of the basement floor. The drainage tubes 14 are then embedded in a gravel filled trench (see FIG. 2) which is filled to the level of the foundation. Weep holes 24 are drilled in the lower concrete blocks and a vapor barrier 18 is mounted flush to the vertical concrete wall 20. The edging device 12 is placed in mechanical contact with the vapor barrier 18 as shown in FIG. 1, and is subsequently buried in a repoured slab 32 flush to the basement floor. The edging device 12 incorporates a partial air barrier 28 (see FIG. 2) which allows water/moisture drainage down to the drainage tubes 14, while also providing a partial air blockage, a feature useful in the active radon exhaust embodiment (explained later). Care is taken when repouring slab 24, to incorporate an exhaust port 26 running vertically through the slab. The exhaust port 26 may normally be sealed on its' top surface by a removable air tight cap or similar such device. In practice, the air tight cap may be removed and air samples emanating from port 26 can be tested with commercially available radon gas measurement devices to determine the absence or presence of this harmful gas. In cases where the radon level is unacceptably high or simply as a preventive measure, port 26 may be directly coupled and air-tight sealed to a vertical vapor passage via duct extending from the basement floor thru the attic ceiling to exhaust harmful radon gas from entering the home or facility.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the edging device 12 may be composed of a rigid PVC type material which incorporates protruding barrier tabs 16 in direct mechanical contact with vapor barrier 18 and the foundation surface 19, wherein the vapor barrier 18 is in mechanical contact with the basement vertical wall 20. In this embodiment, the vapor barrier 18 may be coated on both sides with an antimicrobial layer which would inhibit mildew/mold formation on its surface.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 1, water invading the basement concrete wall 20 may drain vertically downward through the concrete blocks towards the foundation surface 19, wherein when the water seeps under the concrete blocks at location 22, said water may be blocked from additional horizontal seepage along the foundation surface 19 by protruding barrier tabs 16 incorporated in edging device 12.

Alternatively, or in concert, the invading water may exit from weep holes 24 drilled near the bottom of the lowest concrete blocks, where as before, the said water may be blocked from additional horizontal seepage along the foundation surface 19 by protruding barrier tabs 16 incorporated in edging device 12. In both cases, the invading water will eventually seep downward into drainage tubes 14 and be routed to a holding reservoir (not shown in FIG. 1) and evacuated via a sump pump device if the reservoir exceeds a predetermined volume. In this configuration, the drainage tubes 14 will also similarly evacuate any water which may invade the soil below the basement floor thereby drying said soil in order to stop “wicking” and give the home owner a completely dry floor.

FIG. 2 shows a side view outlining the components mentioned above, highlighting the area of the gravel filled trench 22 and the repoured slab 32. As shown, the drain tubing 14 is embedded in the gravel filled trench 22 and an exhaust port 26 has been incorporated in the repoured slab 32.

The basement waterproofing components and configuration outlined above may also work in concert with additional devices to provide a means to exhaust harmful radon gas prior to entering the home. FIG. 2 also shows the additional components to accomplish radon gas exhausting. The first step in incorporating radon gas evacuation means involves removing the lid to the gas inspection port 26, and mating the inspection port 26 with an exhaust via duct 31 running vertically up to and out the attic roof 29. An exhaust fan 30 is incorporated In-line with the exhaust via duct 31 in such a manner as to pull a negative pressure from the soil below the basement floor and exhaust harmful gases out vertically into the atmosphere. In practice, the negative pressure generated by the fan pulls harmful radon gas out of the soil below the basement floor into the gravel filled trench 22, then into drain tubing 14, and ultimately into the exhaust port 26 which in turn is directly coupled to the exhaust via duct 31. In this configuration, harmful radon gas is intercepted prior to invading the basement and re-routed out the exhaust via duct 31 and eventually into the atmosphere. As mentioned above, the partial air barrier 28 supplies a sufficient air flow resistance to allow the fan to establish a negative air pressure with the soil below the basement floor.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust fan 30 may free run and be set for a predetermined air flow exhaust consistent with keeping the radon gas level within the house below a clinically acceptable threshold level. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust fan 30 may incorporate a radon measurement capability and the fan speed may automatically adjust to keep the house below a clinically acceptable radon gas threshold level. Alternatively, a separate radon measurement device may be incorporated in-line with the exhaust via duct 31 and in direct communication with the exhaust fan 30.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the exhaust fan 30 may be in wireless communication with a radon measurement device placed within the house. In this embodiment, the radon measurement device placed within the house may periodically transmit current radon concentrations to the exhaust fan 30, and if the radon concentration exceeds a clinically acceptable threshold level, the exhaust fan 30 may be energized.

The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the present specification. The claims are intended to cover such modifications and devices. 

1. A basement waterproofing device incorporating radon gas measurement access and exhaust means comprising: a trench dug along the outer basement wall; said trench refilled with an embedded drainage tube; a vapor barrier displaced vertically along the basement wall; an angled edging member in mechanical contact with the vapor barrier and located proximate the top of the refilled trench; and a repoured slab incorporating a vertical gas passageway flush with the original basement floor.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the vertical gas passageway is sealed on top with a removable air tight seal.
 3. The device of claim 2 wherein the vertical gas passageway may be air tight coupled to an extended vapor passage way.
 4. The device of claim 3 wherein the extended vapor passage way exhausts channeled gases out through the roof.
 5. The device of claim 1 wherein the vapor barrier may be coated with an antimicrobial layer.
 6. A basement waterproofing device incorporating radon gas measurement and exhaust means comprising: a trench dug along the outer basement wall; said trench refilled with an embedded drainage tube; a vapor barrier displaced vertically along the basement wall; an angled edging member in mechanical contact with the vapor barrier and located proximate the top of the refilled trench; a repoured slab incorporating a vertical gas passageway flush with the original basement floor; an exhaust gas via duct extending from the vertical gas passageway flush with the original basement floor out the attic roof; and a fan in-line with said exhaust gas via duct configured to pull gas from the soil below the basement floor and out the attic roof.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein the fan is preset to run at a constant speed.
 8. The device of claim 7 wherein the fan speed is chosen to correspond to a clinically acceptable radon gas threshold level within the house.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein the clinically acceptable radon gas threshold level is not to exceed 4 pico-Curies/Liter (4×10⁻¹² Curies/Liter).
 10. A basement waterproofing device incorporating radon gas measurement and exhaust means comprising: a trench dug along the outer basement wall; said trench refilled with an embedded drainage tube; a vapor barrier displaced vertically along the basement wall; an angled edging member in mechanical contact with the vapor barrier and located proximate the top of the refilled trench; a repoured slab incorporating a vertical gas passageway flush with the original basement floor; an exhaust gas via duct extending from the vertical gas passageway flush with the original basement floor out the attic roof; a fan in-line with said exhaust gas via duct configured to pull gas from the soil below the basement floor and out the attic roof, and a radon measurement device in line with the exhaust gas via duct and in communication with said fan.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein the fan speed is adjustable based on communication received from the radon measurement device.
 12. The device of claim 11 wherein the fan speed may automatically adjust to keep the in-line radon gas level below an acceptable radon gas threshold level.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein the acceptable radon gas threshold level is not to exceed 4 pico-Curies/Liter (4×10⁻¹² Curies/Liter).
 14. A basement waterproofing device incorporating radon gas measurement and exhaust means comprising: a trench dug along the outer basement wall; said trench refilled with an embedded drainage tube; a vapor barrier displaced vertically along the basement wall; an angled edging member in mechanical contact with the vapor barrier and located proximate the top of the refilled trench; a repoured slab incorporating a vertical gas passageway flush with the original basement floor; an exhaust gas via duct extending from the vertical gas passageway flush with the original basement floor out the attic roof; a fan in-line with said exhaust gas via duct configured to pull gas from the soil below the basement floor and out the attic roof, said fan configured to accept wireless communication; a radon measurement device located in the basement and in wireless communication with said fan.
 15. The device of claim 14 wherein the fan speed is adjustable based on wireless communication received from the radon measurement device.
 16. The device of claim 15 wherein the fan speed may automatically adjust to keep the radon gas level below an acceptable threshold level.
 17. The device of claim 16 wherein the acceptable radon gas threshold level is not to exceed 4 pico-Curies/Liter (4×10⁻¹² Curies/Liter). 